Ideas on taking apart cooling fins with copper tubing in them

[dumpdigger]

I don't know the correct name for these. I got these from old coolers that came from a grocery store. I have been cutting the copper tube off about 6 inches back and then twisting and pulling and finally getting it out. I wonder if somebody has taken these apart before and has a better way. I have several of these and the way I am doing it will take a lot of time. Thanks

 

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[TexasDeere]

I salvage those all the time from old a/c units that we have to remove from roofs during a reroof. I don't know a way to get the tubing out that would make it worthwhile. I just cut the iron off the ends and leave the coils as is. I'll then pop the copper U pieces off the iron end plate. They used to bring about $1.35 a pound if they were cleaned like that but last time I checked it was only paying arond $.45 a pound. I have stacks of these old aluminum/copper coils I am saving until the price returns to over $1.00 a pound.

 

[dumpdigger]

These arn't like the household airconditioners that have steel on the ends. The tubing is just pressed in. I do the same as you on the smaller units. These probably started out 15 to 18 feet long.

 

[TexasDeere]

I use the same method with the larger coils from large roof top compressors (like large freezers and such). I have not ever had one that you could just pull the copper tubes out. I have the evaporative coils from a 15 ton unit sitting in my garage. I might see if I can figure out a way to pull the tubes out. Good luck and let me know if you figure anything new out.

 

[dumpdigger]

I was thinking you meant small units but I guess you weren't. I can probably pull a foot at a time at the most but it's a lot of work. I just pull a few at a time and go on to something else. If I had bunches of them I would just chop them down to size and haul them in that way like you do. I might do it anyhow. Thanks for your imput.

 

[stinkweed]

2 things I've done to get the tubing out of a/c coils

1: use a circular saw with a metal cutting disk
set the depth very shallow and cut across the fins along the top of each tube
then fold the fins back and pull out the copper
this works best if you actually nick the copper with the blade

2: use a sawzall to cut the fins along the side of each tube
lay the coil on a couple of stacked pallets and stand on it while you cut
this one's a real back breaker

hard work, i don't know if it was worth it

 

[Lethal]

Sawzall is the way to go. My dad uses it and cuts along the tubes so the Aluminum falls off.

 

[Michael Karr]

SELL THEM WHOLE NOT WORTH THE TIME,UNLESS THATS LAST RESORT,,,,,,,,,MIKE

 

[Jay-in-Pa]

A good hot fire will melt the aluminum off and it will be left in puddles in the ashes, the copper pipe is ready to go just don't roast marshmellows or hotdogs over the same fire.

Jay

 

[Tomas Frijole]

A good hot fire will melt the aluminum off and it will be left in puddles in the ashes, the copper pipe is ready to go just don't roast marshmellows or hotdogs over the same fire.

Jay

Yup, thats what I do, plus such pretty colors! Sit around the fire with a bottle of Boonesfarm and relive the 60's.